The New Grange Series
by
M.L. Heivly
Newgrange Bru na Boinne
Newgrange is a megalithic passage grave situated in the Boinne valley near the town of Drogheda,
twenty-five miles north of Dublin, Ireland. The five thousand year old mound/tomb consists of a passage,
chamber and roof that were built without the use of mortar. The surrounding countryside is scattered with
other mounds that have been regarded through the centuries as the chief burial place for the ancient
Kings of Tara. Early Celtic mythology documents the fact that the original occupant of the site was
Elcmar who was married to Boand, the divine personification of the river Boinne. The god Dagda is
reputed to have seduced Boand and produced a son given the name Aengus. Aengus is regarded as the
deity of the day as his birth took place during the magical winter solstice at Newgrange. One of the
most striking and impressive features of the passage tomb is the entrance of the sunrays down the long
passage during the winter solstice of each year. This seemingly magical event illuminates a spiral petroglyph cut
into the rock at the end of the passage. The alignment of other stones outside the mound indicates that the
site was used for other solar events as well as being able to predict lunar movements. The complexity,
mythological richness and sophistication of this astronomical site ranks it as one of the most important
ancient places in Europe. Certainly it is the great national monument of the people of Ireland.